M-W grad Cordeiro face-to-face with David Beckham?

Sunday

Jun 29, 2008 at 2:00 AMJun 29, 2008 at 2:03 AM

David Beckham is the most famous soccer player in the world — a star in the MLS. Ryan Cordeiro, a 2004 Monroe-Woodbury grad, is an up-and-comer quickly gaining cred in the league. On Sunday, Beckham and Cordeiro could stare each other down on the pitch.

BY JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

David Beckham is the most famous soccer player in the world — a star in the MLS.

Ryan Cordeiro, a 2004 Monroe-Woodbury grad, is an up-and-comer quickly gaining cred in the league.

On Sunday, Beckham and Cordeiro could stare each other down on the pitch. Cordeiro's D.C. United host Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy at noon in a game that will be televised nationally on ABC-7.

"I've been watching tape on Beckham this week and reality is starting to set in," said Cordeiro, a reserve midfielder. "I might play against David Beckham. But it's not like he's just some famous guy. He's nasty. I would have my work cut out for me."

Cordeiro, a reserve midfielder, isn't sure if he will play against the Galaxy. He has played in three games for the United (6-7-1) this year, including one start. Cordeiro entered in the 45th minute of United's 3-1 win over San Jose last week and tallied his first MLS assist just five minutes later.

What makes a possible Cordeiro vs. Beckham match-up intriguing is that Cordeiro's normal position is on the left side of the midfield — he has shifted. Beckham plays on the right. That means the pair could mark each other.

"Beckham would be tough to defend," Cordeiro said. "Nobody in the world serves the ball better than him. If I get in, I have to be focused and concentrating. Even if I get in for just five or 10 minutes, it would be difficult."